KIIT School of Language & Literature (KSLL) hosted an International Conference on the subject of “Cross-Religious Exchanges in Eastern Indian Cultural and Literary Traditions” from February 15-17, 2024, conducted in a hybrid format.
The conference centered on fostering inter-religious dialogues within the diverse belief systems prevalent in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It scrutinised the intricate dynamics of theological, religious, and spiritual interactions, highlighting their impact on culture, literary traditions, and the collective identity of the Indian populace.
The KSLL event held at KIIT-DU served as a platform for scholarly discourse, drawing participants from the United States, Nepal, and various parts of India, and was co-sponsored by Sahitya Akademi and Overseas Publishers.
The inaugural ceremony on February 15, 2024, was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU; Prof (Dr.) Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT-DU; and Dr. Sukhbir Singh, former Dean of Nalanda University, who delivered the keynote address. The conference commenced with a welcome speech from Prof.(Dr.) Beerendra Pandey, Dean of KSLL, followed by insightful remarks from the Registrar and Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU, who elaborated on India’s rich cultural tapestry. Dr. Sukhbir Singh’s keynote speech eloquently illustrated the symbiotic relationship between religion and literature, drawing from unique examples found in Upanishadic narrative structures.
Featuring five plenary speakers representing renowned academic institutions worldwide, including Stony Brook University, USA, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Jadavpur University, Kolkata, the conference hosted parallel sessions where nearly 40 presenters expounded upon their research findings. Topics ranged from diverse religious practices and their impact on daily life to cultural aspects and identity formation, including discussions on marginalised voices and their resistance against dominant systems, often leading to their eventual appropriation.